The details of who is eligible for the Ontario fertility program depend on the type of treatment. It is important to note eligibility is not based on sex, gender, orientation, or family status.
All covered fertility treatments under the Ontario fertility funding program include medical
assessments and counselling, specific blood and urine tests, and related ultrasounds. Treatments not covered are psychologist or social worker counselling, drugs and medications, storage and shipping of eggs/sperm/embryos, and a number of optional tests.
Check with your personal health plan for costs not funded by the Ontario fertility program such
as fertility drugs and genetic testing.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Funding
In vitro fertilization involves retrieving eggs from one partner’s ovaries (or using a donor egg) and then fertilizing the eggs using the other partner’s sperm (or donor sperm) in a lab. Once fertilized, the embryo is transferred to the uterus. This funding covers one IVF cycle per lifetime.Am I Eligible for Funded IVF?
The Ontario IVF funding program is for Ontario residents under the age of 43 years with a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card.How Do I Apply?
A referral from your physician is needed for those wanting to know how to apply for IVF funding from the Ontario government.What Treatments Are Covered?
Under the Ontario fertility funding program for IVF, one full IVF cycle is covered. The cycle varies from person to person.Funding coverage includes up to two attempts at cycle monitoring, embryo freezing/thawing/culture, one attempt at surgical sperm retrieval, and a one-at-a-time fresh/frozen embryo transfer. It also includes fertilization and embryology services, including intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), assisted hatching, and blastocyst culture.
What Treatments Are Not Covered?
The Ontario fertility funding program does not cover purchase of donor sperm/eggs, storage/shipment of eggs/sperm/embryos, or services performed on other participants in the patient’s funded IVF cycle.Can My Partner or Donor Participate?
As an IVF procedure requires a sperm or egg donor/partner participation, the only prerequisite is a valid OHIP card. The Ontario fertility funding only covers the egg retrieval or sperm collection/retrieval as other services may be directly charged to the participant.Is There a Waiting List?
Yes, due to the number of women and couples seeking IVF assistance, there is a waiting list. Each government-recognized fertility clinic has varying waiting times.Number of Embryos I Can Transfer?
Due to the health risks with multiple pregnancies, the Ontario IVF funding program only allows for one embryo transfer under its mandatory single embryo transfer policy. The program does allow for age and medical exceptions which can be discussed with your fertility specialist.What is Included in the Funded IVF Cycle
The Ontario funded IVF program allows for one-at-a-time transfer of all viable embryos from one start point to the first endpoints. The cycle start point encompasses undergoing an eggretrieval, OR donor undergoing egg retrieval, OR using previously retrieved eggs OR using previously created embryos.
The cycle end point is marked with two cycle monitoring attempts with no egg retrieval, OR one failed egg retrieval, OR one failed surgical sperm retrieval with no alternate sperm source chosen, OR fertilization/culture of all eggs from cycle start resulted in no viable embryos to transfer, OR thawing/culture of all frozen embryos from cycle start resulted in no viable embryos to transfer, OR transfers of all viable embryos from cycle start were performed or are no longer available.
